The Sunshine State is about to receive a slew of brand new inhabitants.
According to the Miami Herald, thousands of genetically modified mosquitoes will be released in Florida to help fight a disease-spreading species of the insect.
This project is being led by a British company called Oxitec with the goal of holding back the population of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which are known for spread Zika and dengue fever.
In order to curtail the population, the genetically modified male mosquitoes will mate with non-modified females, which are the ones that bite humans.
The company is calling it a “death mechanism,” which will prevent viable female offspring from surviving throughout the area.
“The female offspring of these encounters cannot survive, and the population of Aedes aegypti is subsequently controlled,” Oxitec said in a statement.
Throughout six locations in the Florida Keys, 144,000 genetically modified male eggs will be released. Around 12,000 mosquitoes are expected to emerge each week for about 12 weeks, Oxitec said.
This project was approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the local mosquito control district’s board.
Throughout the United States, some areas have seen cases of the deadly mosquito-borne virus Eastern equine encephalitis, otherwise known as EEE.
In 2019, Audacy spoke to infectious diseases expert Dr. Robert Glatter about how to best to protect yourself from EEE virus.
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Glatter, an emergency physician on staff at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, said EEE is a rare, life-threatening virus that can cause permanent brain damage. It is a dangerous mosquito-born illness that has caused deaths across the United States. Glatter said the best way to prevent infection from EEE is to prevent mosquito bites.
Glatter recommends the following techniques to protect yourself and your family from mosquito bites.
• Use bug spray
• Wear long sleeves, long pants, and shoes with socks
• Buy netting, it helps
• Stay indoors at dusk and after dark
• Make sure to inspect your home
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